Summary of Position: The Program Specialist is primarily responsible for facilitating and managing the day-to-day logistics of a portfolio of 20-25 high-quality programs through regular site visits, performing program observations, and providing actionable recommendations to enhance program quality, safety, compliance, instruction, attendance, enrollment, and retention, as well as addressing other critical areas.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Employee Instructors and Program Providers
Provide direction to community and campus liaisons and ensure compliance with program requirements
Annual operating budget responsibility: $1M
Major Duties and Responsibilities: Program Quality
Oversee and ensure high-quality of all programs within portfolio;
Build and maintain a high-quality program portfolio that includes after school, daytime, weekend, and school break programs.
Track and analyze program data to identify trends, address challenges, identify program supports needed, and implement strategies that maximize participation and retention in programs
Assist in the recruitment process of program staff, oversee the selection of returning programs, identify new program providers, and ensure compliance with portfolio benchmarks
Assess program quality and compliance and provide program budget and portfolio reports and recommendations to Program Manager
Conduct regular program site visits for each program in portfolio and make recommendations for Youth Program Quality Assessments
Manage ASM instructors from recruitment to providing ongoing coaching to instructors, ensuring they have the resources and training necessary to deliver high-quality programming
Co-lead facilities meetings and maintain regular communication with Facilities Management re: building cleanliness, building organization, building repairs, space reservations, building improvements, security, safety drills, food service, etc.
Establish, communicate, and uphold building expectations (entry/exit, food/drink expectations, no gum, appropriate attire, etc.)
Address teen behavioral incidents by facilitating mediation, conducting parent/guardian follow‑up, documenting incidents, and recommending appropriate next steps, including escalation in alignment with organizational policies and safety protocols
Provide leadership for designated program sites when the Senior Program Manager is not available.
Administrative Duties
Act as the primary contact for instructors, community/campus liaisons, and school staff for programs
Assist in developing and implementing effective teen recruitment and retention strategies for branch programs
Plan, schedule, organize, and conduct all assigned meetings with partners, instructors, community, and campus liaisons each session
Submit incident reports and follow up on next steps, including conducting thorough follow-up on incident reports, and addressing concerns raised by instructors, community-based organizations, schools, and sites with support from Program Manager
Community Relations
Coordinate community outreach efforts, including attending events and meetings (e.g., aldermanic meetings, police district beat meetings, library meetings) to promote programs and recruit participants, securing locations for programs
Gather feedback from community members and partners to create new programs, continuously improve existing programs and address the needs of the communities served
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Excellent interpersonal skills
Skilled in developing and facilitating collaborative relationships
Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams
Demonstrated experience managing facility and program operations
Excellent organizational skills and problem solving abilities
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent Microsoft Office skills; ability to collect and maintain information as needed
Demonstrated experience in project management
Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
Ability to work in a fast paced, high energy environment
Respect for all levels of the organization and outside partners
Energetic team player who works well in collaborative situations
Strong orientation to customer service
Qualifications:
Minimum Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum 5-7 years relevant experience
Valid Driver’s License, insured transportation, and driving record that satisfies our Motor Vehicle Policy required
Cook County residency required
Experience in using Cityspan database a plus
Evenings and some weekends required
Compensation: $60,827 - $67,000 salary, depending on applicable experience and education
About Us:After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.
Thirty-five years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 450,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.
We offer paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including four ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and Orleans, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. Currently, After School Matters' annual operating budget is approximately $48M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.
EEO: After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.
